Tyreglwys Farm Facts

Host Farmers

  • Tyreglwys Demonstration Farm is farmed by Geraint Thomas and his family.
  • Geraint farms in partnership with his parents Rhys and Margaret and his wife Sheryl, who also works off farm on a part-time basis.
  • The farm is managed by Geraint and family, working with one full-time member of staff and a relief milker.

Land

  • Tyreglwys extends to 350 acres.
  • 42 acres of land is also rented on long-term lets.

Livestock

 

Dairy

  • The Gwynnog herd consists of 165 pedigree Ayrshire and pedigree Holstein cows, plus followers, with each breed representing half of the herd.
  • The cows are high yielding, and of high genetic merit. The highest yielders are kept indoors at night all year round. A TMR ration is fed using some home-grown concentrate and silage, but crimped maize is also bought in to incorporate into the ration.
  • The farm supplies Muller Wiseman on a liquid contract, targeting constituent levels above the standard litre (4% fat, 3% protein). The pricing structure includes a volume bonus, so high yielders are kept in at night for buffer feeding.
  • The current calving interval is 430 days, the aim is to reduce this through improved heat detection.
  • Cow housing ranges from cow kennels, cubicles and loose housing. The loose housing is given to show livestock.
  • Conditions on the farm are wet, with typical turnout dates in mid-April.
     

Sheep

  • Tack sheep are grazed on the farm in the winter.

Cropping

  • 15 acres of spring barley is grown annually for livestock feed.

Additional information

  • Contractors carry out all slurry, silage and hedgecutting work.
  • The family has achieved success in the show ring with both Holsteins and Ayrshires, most recently winning in the 2015 Welsh Dairy Show.
  • Other success includes winning at the Royal Welsh Show and a number of wins in national shows.
  • Geraint is active in the agricultural community on a number of committees and is chairman of the South Wales Ayrshire Club.